On this page, you will find a description of our existing non-credit bearing online courses for teacher professional development. If you, or your staff, may be interested in taking one of these courses now, or in the future, please complete this interest form. You may also contact us to discuss your professional development needs. We can connect you with a PD provider in our network or create a targeted course or workshop for your staff. Many members of the McNichol ECE Lab can deliver in-person or online training, on-demand and across many subject areas, and have extensive experience doing so. 

COURSES AVAILABLE NOW

Becoming a New Early Childhood Teacher (New Teacher Induction Program)

Course Description

This course is designed as a customizable professional development opportunity for early childhood centers to provide new educators with evidence and research-based information on 10 important topics for their success in the early childhood field. The topics include how to set up your classroom, classroom management and social-emotional learning, assessment, lesson planning, professionalism and NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, family engagement, cultural competence, inclusion, getting support and understanding referrals, and self-management for teacher resiliency. Guidance for working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is provided within each topic area. The course was originally developed and piloted by educators, professors, and instructional designers to maximize engagement and encourage a hybrid model of on-site coaching with distance learning to train and retain new early childhood teachers in partnership with their early childhood center. The course features a combination of customizable content, activity completion, and a coach’s checklist to maximize learning. Teachers are also provided with information, tools, and resources that guide them through the process of being a new teacher.   

Features: Blackboard LMS; support materials for on-site coaches/supervisors to guide students to apply their learning in the classroom; customizable content; modules include recorded presentations, videos, readings, downloadable handouts and resources, reflection prompts and more. Designed to promote retention of new staff in early childhood centers.

Design: Online, asynchronous, 10 topic modules; competency-based, balances understanding and application.

Instructional Contact Hours: Customizable: can provide 1 - 40 instructional contact hours depending on student needs. Optimal range: 10 – 20 hours.

Completion Certificate: Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion from the Drexel University School of Education

Teaching for Sustainability & Altruism Using Project-Based Learning

Course Description

This course is designed as a self-paced, asynchronous professional development opportunity for practicing early childhood educators who routinely use the pedagogical approach of Project Based Learning in their classrooms. This course was developed to support educators who are interested in developing projects that promote the twin goals of sustainability and altruism, which includes social-emotional learning and citizenship. Participants move through four online modules to

1. learn about the origin of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
2. learn how to develop children’s SEL and altruism-related skills through projects
3. design a project based learning unit focused on sustainability and altruism
4. design a project based learning unit using an integrated approach

Course participants complete a variety of different learning tasks throughout the modules in support of creating a project planning outline that includes three (3) learning goals, a driving question or challenging problem, and anticipated student questions (7-10) that will be used to plan for sustained inquiry. Participants have the option of collaborating with a Sustainability Coach to design, develop and implement the project unit in the classroom.

Features: Blackboard LMS; online engagement with like-minded educators; modules include introductory videos created by course authors, recorded presentations, current content, scaffolded learning tasks, reflection prompts, and the opportunity to receive coaching and support from a Sustainability Coach. Designed to support early childhood educators with developing a project based on sustainability and altruism.

Design: This online, asynchronous course will take 8 - 10 hours to complete (readings, videos, learning activities, surveys, etc.).

Completion Certificate: Participants who successfully complete all of the surveys and learning tasks will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Drexel University School of Education.

Play Development

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to teach early childhood educators or caregivers about the stages and skills of young children’s play development. Participants will learn to discretely observe and identify play skills using an observational play assessment called the Qualitative Characteristics of Children’s Play (QCCP). Participants will then have opportunities to practice observing children’s play to identify play skill development using the QCCP. Participants will develop their knowledge to measure and enhance play skills through discussion forums and hands on activities. Each participant will have an opportunity to network with a community of learners. Participants will receive coaching about play skill development and how to assess play using the QCCP.

Features: Blackboard LMS; tools and materials to apply to their own routines and learning; modules include recorded presentations, discussion groups, videos, readings, downloadable handouts and resources, reflection prompts and the opportunity to receive coaching support on supporting and enhancing play. Designed to provide educators and caregivers the tools to discretely observe, measure, and enhance a child’s play skill.

Design: Online, asynchronous, provides opportunities to apply content and learning in their classrooms or routines, and network with their community about play.

Instructional Contact Hours: This course will take 8-10 hours to complete.

Completion Certificate: Participants who complete all tasks will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Drexel University School of Education

REGISTER HERE